SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRAVE – THE CALM | THE STORM

the Calm | the Storm is a solid effort from Washington, DC progressive rock veterans Brave. It is their first full-length studio release since 2008’s critically acclaimed Monuments. The album opens with a thunderous track appropriately titled “I Will Wait”, driven by power chords and anchored by lead singer Michelle Schrotz’ crystal clear vocals, which sail over the heavy, melodic riffs. Her voice provides a perfect yin-yang balance for the masculine sounds produced by bandmates Ben Kelly, Matt Kozar, Scott Loose, Suvo Sur, and Trevor Schrotz.

Though “I Will Wait” sets the tone, it is by far the hardest-hitting of the ten tracks. Meanwhile, the first thirty seconds of “Summertime” trick you into grooving to a pop-rock vibe before barreling back into something raw and powerful. Brave really shows us what it can do with this album, refusing to commit to a single genre and instead flirting with acoustic elements and emotional ballads, while constructing a unique ambience that is structured but experimental.

The result is a smorgasbord of offerings that don’t necessarily coalesce into a well-balanced dish. There isn’t a song that you would skip, but there also isn’t necessarily one that you would put on repeat. Still, the calm | the storm is an interesting mix of tracks that is definitely worth chewing on.

Mariko is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Vancouver, BC. She is a music junkie, an intrepid optimist and a fish taco enthusiast. She lives in a campervan full time and is dedicated to exploring the connection humans have with music and sound via her personal blog Earthly Pursuits. When she’s not at a concert or stuffing her face with fish tacos you can find her outside either near water or in the mountains.